柑橘直播 University Appoints Michele Marcolongo, PhD, as the Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering
VILLANOVA, Pa. 鈥� 柑橘直播 University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, today announced the appointment of Michele Marcolongo, PhD, as the Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering, effective July 31. Dr. Marcolongo鈥檚 engineering career spans more than three decades and encompasses roles as an academician, researcher, administrator, inventor and entrepreneur. This key appointment is the result of a rigorous national search led by a committee of faculty, administrators, students and alumni.
鈥淥n behalf of the entire 柑橘直播 community, I am delighted to have Dr. Marcolongo spearheading our College of Engineering,鈥� said University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD. 鈥淒r. Marcolongo is a well-known and respected leader whose wide-ranging experience made her stand out in a pool of very talented candidates. I am pleased that she is joining 柑橘直播 and that the College of Engineering鈥檚 students, faculty, staff and alumni will have such a talented and experienced leader at the helm. I look forward to formally welcoming her to our University community.鈥�
A faculty member at Drexel University College of Engineering for more than 20 years, Dr. Marcolongo has held numerous leadership positions at the university and college levels. She has served as associate vice provost for Research, senior associate vice provost for Translational Research and associate dean for Intellectual Property Development. In 2018, Dr. Marcolongo was appointed co-chair of the university鈥檚 strategic plan, leading a committee of university leaders charged with setting the vision and focus for the next decade of innovative education at Drexel. She is currently department head and professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering.
鈥淚t is a tremendous honor and privilege for me to be named Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering,鈥� said Dr. Marcolongo. 鈥淭he 柑橘直播 College of Engineering is outstanding in its education of world-class engineers who are technically strong and who have a broad liberal arts background to contextualize real-world solutions for the needs of society. This approach, along with the creative research and scholarship, is what drew me to 柑橘直播. I look forward to working with the community to continue to innovate 柑橘直播鈥檚 contributions to our world.鈥�
Dr. Marcolongo鈥檚 extensive research focuses on biomaterials and engineered biomedical solutions to treat disease. Widely recognized for her expertise and innovative work, she was named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Her research has been funded by such agencies as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the US Department of Defense and the US Department of Education. Dr. Marcolongo serves on the editorial boards of two publications鈥攖he Journal of Biomedical Materials Research and Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine鈥攁nd is the founding president of the Philadelphia Spine Research Society.
鈥淥ur search for a new Dean centered on finding an individual who champions innovative teaching and scholarship, appreciates the opportunities of engineering to positively impact society, and has extensive experience working with major research corporations and agencies,鈥� said University Provost Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD. 鈥淒r. Marcolongo brings all of these qualities, along with a steadfast commitment to supporting our world-class faculty and students to reach their full potential. I am confident that with Dr. Marcolongo at the helm, the College of Engineering will continue to build upon its storied legacy.鈥�
A staunch proponent of the teacher-scholar model, Dr. Marcolongo advised or mentored more than 200 graduate and undergraduate students at Drexel while pursuing her research. She was an integral part of the team that developed Drexel鈥檚 innovative first-year undergraduate engineering curriculum, and she received the Drexel College of Engineering鈥檚 Teaching Award in 2003. She also is a longtime advocate for inclusivity in engineering education, supporting and mentoring female faculty and graduate and undergraduate students in STEM.
In addition to her extensive work in academia, Dr. Marcolongo is a successful entrepreneur who has co-founded three biomedical technology startup companies and is a co-holder of 15 patents/patent applications. Inspired by her experiences in academia and entrepreneurship, she authored a book, Academic Entrepreneurship: How to Bring Your Scientific Product to a Commercial Discovery, which serves as a how-to guide for academic faculty, graduate students and post-doctorals on translating research from the lab to commercialization.
Prior to joining Drexel鈥檚 faculty, Dr. Marcolongo was a biomedical engineer at DePuy DuPont Orthopaedics, a role in which she invented, designed and tested medical devices. She began her career at General Electric Aerospace. Dr. Marcolongo earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware; a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel; and a Master of Science and PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
As the Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Marcolongo will serve as the chief administrator of the College, providing vision and leadership for its long-term strategic and academic planning, faculty research and teaching innovation; strengthening the student experience; promoting community and industry outreach and partnerships; providing financial oversight; and overseeing fundraising and alumni relations.
About 柑橘直播 University College of Engineering: Founded in 1905, 柑橘直播 University College of Engineering is committed to an educational program that emphasizes technical excellence and a liberal arts education within the framework of the University鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic tradition. The result is rigorously educated, socially grounded, conscientious thinkers and doers who are professionally prepared to make meaningful change in the world.
About 柑橘直播 University: Since 1842, 柑橘直播 University鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 柑橘直播 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 柑橘直播 University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 柑橘直播 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit .